Magic: A family tradition

Deirdre Newman

The Russell Bros. Circus provides an entertaining display of

old-fashioned magical feats like juggling knives, balancing spinning

plates and shooting a dove out of a cannonball.

Ed Russell, 67 and son Steven, 34, perform four shows a day under

a blue and yellow tent. Then they put on two more shows in the kids

area and teach aspiring magicians how to do some of their tricks.

“Sometimes it works and sometimes it’s funny,” Ed said.

Ed Russell has been involved in the circus business for 36 years.

The addiction started as a hobby until one day in his mid 30s when he

“ran off and joined the circus.”

The Russells have performed their current version of the circus

for the past 10 years and attract adults as well as children.

“It’s a family-oriented show and we keep it that way,” Ed said.

Adults “don’t have to worry about being offended or insulted.”

Steven opens the show juggling a dizzying array of objects,

including balls, bowling pins and knives. Juggling the various items

while walking, spinning and making comical facial expressions

elicited “oohs” and “aahs” from the audience.

The last trick is the most suspenseful as Ed stuffs Steven into a

box the size of a dollhouse and then proceeds to stick swords into

the box. When he opened the box . . . voila, Steven had disappeared.

But after he took the swords out and opened the box again . . . there

was Steven, with all his extremities intact.

The trick stymied Jake Werner, 11, who is visiting from Michigan.

“The best part was when he disappeared into the box,” Jake said.

“But I’m not sure how.”

Don’t count on getting any explanations from Steven, who said the

disappearing act is one of his favorite tricks as well.

“I can’t tell you my secrets,” Steven said. “It’s not magic if the

other fellow knows how it’s done. We don’t tell our secrets to

anyone.”